Town Official, Husband Arrested in Biker Gang Sweep

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An Enfield town official and her husband have been arrested in a case connected to a multistate crackdown on a biker gang, police say.

On Tuesday, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents and Enfield police raided the home of Kelly Hemmeler, a member of the Thompsonville Fire Commission and a district captain for the local Republican Party, and Clifford Hemmeler and found four handguns and illegal steroids, police said.

Police say Clifford Hemmeler is a known Outlaws gang member and a convicted felon who is prohibited from owning guns.

More than 50 people in several states were arrested Tuesday after 27 suspected Outlaws members were indicted on charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, robbery, extortion, witness intimidation, narcotics distribution, illegal gambling, and weapons violations.

ATF officials say Clifford Hemmeler wasn't indicted, but is connected to the case.

According to the indictment out of Virginia, the Outlaws planned multiple acts of violence against rival motorcycle gangs, including shows of force at the Cycle Expo in 2006, Dinwiddie Racetrack in 2008, Cockades Bar in 2009, Daytona Bike Week in 2009, and the Easyrider Bike Expo in 2010. The indictment alleges that in the Cockades Bar show of force, members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club joined the Outlaws in the assault against rival gangs.

The Courant reports that the couple was not arrested on federal charges and they are not mentioned in the Virginia indictment.

The Hemmelers were held on bail on state charges. It's not clear if they have lawyers.